Movable campfire box

ABSTRACT

A campfire box forms an enclosure having an open top, a closed bottom floor, and inner and outer side walls extending around the periphery of the enclosure with the inner side walls being of insulating material. One or more layers of fire insulating material cover the floor. The insulating side panels and floor provide a cavity formed of fire insulating material for enclosing combustible material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an outdoor campfire boxproviding a fireplace in which a campfire may be built, and which may beused in a backyard or on a patio.

Campfires and indoor fireplaces provide a source of heat as well as theattractive and enjoyable aspect of watching open flames as the fireburns down. Campfires additionally provide a heat source for cookingfoods. Beaches and parks often have metal, concrete or masonry barbecuesor campfires in which people can place wood for burning when spending anevening outdoors. However, permanently fixed campfire pits of this typewould be unsuitable and expensive for use in a more confined area suchas a backyard or patio.

Some backyard, outdoor fireplace units have been proposed in the past,but these are typically of all metal construction and become very hotduring use, posing a risk of burns to individuals, pets, plants, andstructures. They are also not particularly attractive in appearance.U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,313 of Smith describes a portable campfire fireplaceboth for containing a campfire and providing a cooking surface. Thissimply consists of a rectangular box of metal on which a grill isadjustably secured. This will also become undesirably hot during use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedcampfire box which is particularly suitable for backyard or patio use.

According to the present invention, a campfire box is provided whichcomprises an enclosure having an open top, a closed floor, outer sidewalls extending around the periphery of the enclosure, inner side wallsextending over the inner surface of the outer side walls for containinga fire, and a layer of fire insulating material covering the floor,providing an inner cavity of fire insulating material for enclosingcombustible material. Preferably, the inner and outer side walls arespaced apart to form a predetermined gap between the walls forinsulation purposes. Air may provide the insulation, or solid insulatingmaterial or panels may fill part or all of the gap. Wheels arepreferably positioned adjacent one end of the enclosure for movablysupporting the campfire box.

The inner side walls and floor covering layer may both be of firebrick.Alternatively, the inner side walls and floor may comprise insulatingpanels of cast ceramic or cementious material. In another embodiment,the inner side walls may be of metal enclosing insulating panels offiber or spun glass. In each case, the outer side walls are preferablyof wood. The inner walls may alternatively be of tile or masonry. Theouter wood enclosure provides an attractive appearance and also is agood insulator, further reducing the risk of accidental burns.Preferably, an air gap is provided between the inner and outer sidewalls for further air circulation and insulation.

The lower floor of the enclosure may comprise a pair of spaced,parallel, rigidly supported metal screens forming a housing containingcrushed rock, pumice or similar heat absorbing and retaining materialsimilar to the type used in gas barbecue grills. One or more layers offire insulating material are supported on top of the upper metal screenabove the retained pumice material. The fire insulating material may befirebricks or other common brick.

A fire of wood or other combustible material may be built inside thefirebox on top of the inner floor. The firebox may be positionedanywhere outdoors to provide a safe, clean, convenient, and attractiveoutdoor fireplace, and is particularly suitable for use in a backyard oron a patio.

Preferably, a generally semi-cylindrical shaped, retractable fire screenor hood of metal mesh or the like is removably mountable over the opentop of the campfire box. This protects individuals, plants, andstructures around the fire against flying ashes or sparks.

The movable campfire box of this invention provides a convenient outdoorfireplace which may also be used for cooking if desired, simply byplacing a grill over the open top of the enclosure. It is attractive andwell insulated so that there will be no external hot surfaces when thecampfire box is in use. The wooden box with an insulating material linerand air gap provides a relatively lightweight firebox which is stableagainst tipping over, not hot to touch, and which may be easily moved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood from the followingdetailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which likereference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the movable campfire box according to afirst embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the separated components of the metalliner;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged end view showing the retractable screen cover,which is partially cut away;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second configuration of the fire cart;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates one form of an end liner panel;

FIG. 10 illustrates another form of a side liner panel;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing alternative modular linerpanels;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the cart with a retractable screenhood similar to that of FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view similar to a portion of FIG. 7, showing analternative firebrick lining; and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 7 showing the cart as set upfor cooking.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate a movable campfire box 10 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention. The box 10 basically comprises afour-sided enclosure having a closed floor 12 and an open top 14, witheach side having an inner wall or liner 16 and an outer wall 18 whichare spaced apart with panels 20 of insulating material located in thespace between the inner and outer side walls. Preferably, an air gap 22is provided between each insulating panel 20 and the respective outerside wall 18, although gap 22 may alternatively be filled withinsulating material. Insulating panels 20 may be of any non-combustibleinsulating material, such as spun glass, fiberglass, masonry, or thelike.

The bottom or lower floor 12 of the enclosure is preferably also ofmulti-layer construction. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the floor 12comprises a lower layer 24 of insulating material such as crushed rocks,granular pumice or the like enclosed between metal mesh panels 25, 26,and one or more layers 27, 28 of brick or firebrick laid on top of theupper mesh panel or cover 26. If layers 27, 28 of standard clay bricksare used, they may be laid perpendicular to one another so that the gaps30 between bricks in one layer are not aligned with those in the otherlayer. This will prevent ash from the combustible material burnt in theenclosure from falling down between the cracks or gaps 30 into thepumice layer 24 below. At the same time, liquid such as rainwater or thelike will be able to drain through the gaps 30 and the mesh layersbelow, so that liquid does not accumulate in the box and causedeterioration or damage to the box. The material in layer 24 may be thesame as that used in gas barbecue grills. The firebricks may be ofstandard, fired red clay or equivalent materials.

Although the firebox 10 in the illustrated embodiment is of square orrectangular shape, it may alternatively be of circular, oval, or othershapes if desired. A pair of wheels 32 are rotatably mounted on axle 34adjacent one end of the firebox, with one wheel on each side of thefirebox. Handles 36 project from the opposite end of the firebox. Thehandles may be gripped while tilting the firebox to allow it to bewheeled from one position to another on wheels 32.

The outer side walls 18 of the firebox are preferably of wood such asoak, pine, or the like, which are good insulators. Alternatively, walls18 may be of other materials such as resin-poured, wood look-a-likematerials. Preferably, each side wall comprises a plurality of verticalplanks 38 with an upper and lower horizontal beam 39, 40 extendingacross the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the planks, andsuitably fastened together by nails or the like. Alternatively, eachwall may be a single panel of wood with upper and lower support beams39, 40. As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower beams 40 of twoopposing side walls have inwardly facing, aligned slots or sockets 42for receiving the opposite ends of a series of spaced cross bars 44extending across the box below the lower wall. Cross bars 44 may bechannel-shaped and of inexpensive, easily formed metal to provide arigid support for the mesh panel or tray 25 containing the pumice layer24. The upper beams 39 on two opposite side walls are preferablyelongated beyond one end of the firebox to form the handles 36.

The structure of the inner side walls 16 is best illustrated in FIGS. 2,3 and 4. Each inner side wall comprises a flat metal panel or liner 16a,16b, 16c, and 16d, respectively, and an insulating panel 20. Each metalpanel has peripheral upper and lower rims or flanges 45, 46 respectivelyprojecting outwardly from the metal panel, forming a seating recess 48for receiving the insulating panel 20, as best illustrated in FIG. 4.The insulating panels may be secured in the respective recesses byadhesive or the like. Each upper rim or flange 45 has a downwardlyprojecting portion 50 which extends over the upper end of air gap 22when the liner is installed inside the firebox, as best illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. The flanges 50 each have a series of spaced openings 52for air flow into and out of the air gap.

The panels 16a and 16c forming the two longest sides of the liner orinner wall each have outwardly projecting end flanges 47. The panels 16band 16d forming the two shortest opposing side walls each have oppositeend portions 53 which are bent outwardly and then back inwardly to forminwardly facing, vertical channels or grooves 54 at each end. Thechannels 54 receive the respective adjacent end flanges 47 of the othertwo side walls 16a and 16c at the four corners of the box, forming acontinuous, smooth and reflective rectangular liner for the box. Thepanels may thus be interlocked to be installed easily in the properrelation to one another.

Although each insulating side panel 20 in the illustrated embodiment ismounted directly on the metal panel or liner 16, the panels 20 mayalternatively be spaced from liners 16 to provide an additionalinsulating air gap.

A three-part, retractable hood or cover 60 may be removably seated overthe open top of the enclosure, as best illustrated in FIG. 5. Supportbrackets 62 for this purpose are preferably provided on opposite sidewalls of the enclosure, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 5. The cover 60 isformed in three pivoting, arcuate sections 63, 64, 65 of graduallyincreasing radius. Each arcuate section is of wire mesh material and hasa pair of spaced arcuate end walls 66 and a curved outer wall 68extending between the end walls 66, and the end walls 66 are all pivotedtogether at their apices via hinge pin 70. When fully extended as inFIG. 5, the sections 63, 64, 65 together form a screen ofsemi-cylindrical shape which completely covers the open top of thefirebox. A handle 72 projects from the outer end of the largest section65, and may be gripped by a user to rotate the section 65 rearwardlyover sections 63 and 64, and both sections 64 and 65 rearwardly oversection 63 to open the screen or hood as desired. Notches 74 on brackets62 receive the projecting outer ends of hinge pin 70 to releasablysupport the cover over the open end of the firebox. Although the hood isin three parts in the illustrated embodiment, it may alternatively beformed in two or more than three parts.

The movable, insulated firebox 10 may be used purely for an outdoorfireplace, or may also be used for cooking purposes. A fire is builtinside the firebox by placing wood or other combustible material overthe firebrick layer 28. The wood is then lit to provide a fire. The hoodor cover 60 may be placed over the open top of the firebox, covering theopen flames for safety purposes and to shield people from sparks andflying embers. If desired, a grill panel may be placed over the open endof the firebox, with the edges of the grill panel resting on the upperends of the side walls, so that food to be barbecued may be supportedover the fire. The grill may be mounted on brackets for adjusting thegrill height or other suitable supporting structure. The hood 60 may beplaced over the open top while cooking, and will also help to reduce hotfat from splashing outside the firebox.

The firebox is very well insulated by means of the insulating panels 20,firebricks in layers 26 and 27, pumice layer 24, air layers 22, andouter walls of wood. This will reduce heat loss apart from via the opentop of the firebox, and the outer walls will remain cool so that theouter surface may be touched without risk of accidental burns. Thefirebox may be readily transported from one location to another, and mayconveniently be used as an outdoor fireplace in a backyard or on apatio, or at any other desired location. It is of an attractive outerappearance, unlike many outdoor barbecue grills and the like.

FIGS. 6 to 10, 12, and 14 illustrate a firebox or cart 100 according toanother embodiment of the invention. The box 100 basically comprises afour-sided enclosure of generally square or rectangular shape and havingan open top, as in the previous embodiment. Box 100 has a floor 102,outer side walls 104 extending around the outer periphery of the box,and inner side walls 106 spaced inwardly from side walls 104 to leave anair gap 108, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The outer side walls 104 are preferably of wood construction, or ofother, man-made materials designed to simulate wood, with each side wallcomprising a wood panel 110 and upper and lower horizontal beams 112,114 extending along the upper and lower edges, respectively, of panel110. The side panels are suitably secured together at the corners of thebox by nails or the like. The upper beams 112 on two opposite sides ofthe box are extended at one end to form handles 116, and wheels 118 aremounted at the opposite end of the box so that it may be readilytransported from one location to another. Support feet 120 are providedat the opposite end of the box to wheels 118 to maintain the box in ahorizontal orientation when in use.

Support blocks 122 are mounted at the front corners of the enclosure,and a floor panel 124 of suitable fire insulating material is supportedon blocks 122 at the front of the box and on feet 120 at the rear end ofthe box, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Preferably, panel 124 is of castceramic or cement material, and has a plurality of parallel ribs 126running along its lower surface for spacing the panel 124 above thesupport blocks 122 or the support panel 125, as illustrated in FIGS. 8and 11.

Inner side walls or panels 106 are also of fire insulating material, andare preferably formed of the same material as floor panel 124. As bestillustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, each side panel has a plurality of spacedvertical ribs 128 extending across its outer surface and an outwardlyprojecting upper rim or flange 130 for engaging over the upper edge 132of the respective side wall. The ribs 128 act to space the panels 106from the outer side wall 104 to form air gap 108. A plurality of spacedgrooves 134 are provided in the lower surface of each flange 130 for airflow into and out of air gap 108, as best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As best illustrated in FIG. 12, a three part, retractable hood or cover60 identical to the cover described above in connection with FIG. 5 mayalso be placed over the open upper end of the firebox 100. The cover 60is identical to that of the previous embodiment, and like referencenumerals have been used for like parts as appropriate. FIG. 14illustrates the firebox or cart 100 arranged for cooking. Suitablecombustible material such as firewood 140, coal, or the like is placedonto the floor panel 124 and lit. A metal grill 142 is placed over theopen end of the firebox, and food 144 to be cooked is placed on thegrill. Although the grill 142 is placed directly onto flanges 130 in theillustrated embodiment, it may alternatively be mounted on adjustablebrackets or the like for adjusting the height of the food above thefire. The insulating side panels 106 and floor 124 insulate the fireenclosure and reduce heat loss. The panels, air gap, and outer sidewalls of wood together provide excellent insulation and no hot externalsurfaces. The outer side walls may be touched without risk of accidentalburns.

FIG. 11 illustrates a modification to firebox 100, in which the onepiece, cast floor and side panels are replaced with modular blocks orstrips 146, 148, respectively, of similar fire insulating material. Theblocks 146 forming floor 102 are supported on a metal support plate 150extending across the open lower end of the box. As in the previousembodiment, the blocks 146 and 148 have ribs 152, 154 forming spacers toleave an air gap between the respective insulating layer and outerstructure of the box, for additional insulation. The upper flanges 130of the inner side panels are eliminated in this embodiment, leaving airgap 108 open at the upper end of the box. This embodiment is otherwiseidentical to the previous embodiment, and like reference numerals havebeen used for like parts as appropriate.

FIG. 13 illustrates a firebox 160 according to another embodiment of theinvention. As in the previous embodiments, box 160 basically comprises afour-sided enclosure of generally square or rectangular shape and havingan open top. Box 160 has a floor 162, outer side walls 164 extendingaround the outer periphery of the box, and inner side walls 166 ofsuitable insulating material. Floor 162 comprises a flat lower supportpanel 168 of metal, wood or the like, and a layer 170 of insulatingmaterial supported on top of support panel 168. Preferably, the innerside walls 166 and floor layer 170 comprise blocks or bricks 172 of asuitable fire insulating material, such as firebricks or other commonbrick. As in the previous embodiments, the outer side walls 166 arepreferably of wood, and are of equivalent construction to the previousembodiment, with like reference numerals being used for like parts.

The firebox 160 of this embodiment will also be provided with handles atone end, wheels and feet, as in the previous embodiments, although theseare not illustrated in FIG. 13 since they will be of identicalconstruction to the previous embodiments. If desired, an air gap may beleft between outer side walls 164 and inner layers or walls 166 ofbrick.

Although some preferred embodiments of the invention have been describedabove by way of example only, it will be understood by those skilled inthe field that modifications may be made to the disclosed embodimentswithout departing form the scope of the invention, which is defined bythe appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A campfire box, comprising:an enclosure having a periphery,an open top, a closed floor, and inner and outer side walls extendingaround the periphery of the enclosure; the floor comprising a supportstructure and at least one floor layer of fire insulating materialextending over said support structure; the inner side walls and floorlayer together forming an inner cavity for containing a fire, the cavitybeing separated from the outer side walls and floor support structureand forming an insulated enclosure for combustible material; and theouter side walls are of wood.
 2. The box as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe inner side walls are of insulating material.
 3. The box as claimedin claim 1, wherein the inner side walls are of metal.
 4. The box asclaimed in claim 1, including panels of insulating material between theinner and outer side walls.
 5. The box as claimed in claim 4, whereinthe inner and outer side walls are spaced apart, and the metal sidewalls each comprise a metal panel having outwardly projecting upper,lower and side flanges forming a recess for mounting a respectiveinsulating panel.
 6. The box as claimed in claim 5, wherein the upperflange of each panel extends between the inner wall and outer wall. 7.The box as claimed in claim 6, wherein a gap is provided between eachinsulating panel and outer wall, and the upper flange of each panel hasa plurality of openings aligned with said gap for air flow through saidpanel.
 8. The box as claimed in claim 1, including wheels positionedadjacent one end of the enclosure for movably supporting the box.
 9. Thebox as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner and outer side walls arespaced apart.
 10. The box as claimed in claim 1, including a pluralityof spaced, parallel support bars extending between one pair of opposingside walls beneath the floor of the enclosure, the support barscomprising a rigid support for said floor.
 11. The box as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the inner side walls and floor layer each comprise atleast one layer of bricks.
 12. The box as claimed in claim 11, whereinthe bricks are selected from a group consisting of clay and fire bricks.13. The box as claimed in claim 11, wherein the floor layer comprises afirst layer of bricks laid in a first direction, and a second layer ofbricks laid over the first layer in a second direction perpendicular tosaid first direction.
 14. The box as claimed in claim 1, including aretractable cover for covering the open top of the enclosure.
 15. Thebox as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cover is of a generallysemi-cylindrical shape.
 16. The box as claimed in claim 15, wherein thecover is of wire mesh material.
 17. The box as claimed in claim 14,wherein the cover comprises at least two sections pivoted together formovement between a full extended position completely covering the opentop and a retracted position partially opening the top of the enclosure.18. The box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floor layer and innerside walls each comprise a panel of insulating material.
 19. The box asclaimed in claim 18, wherein each insulating panel has a plurality ofribs on its outer surface for forming an air gap between the respectivepanel and the outer side walls and floor support structure,respectively.
 20. The box as claimed in claim 18, wherein eachinsulating panel is formed from material selected from the groupconsisting of: castable ceramic material, castable cementious material,masonry, pumice and spun glass material.
 21. The box as claimed in claim18, wherein each insulating panel forming an inner side wall has anupper end having an outwardly projecting rim for extending over theupper end of the respective outer side wall.
 22. A campfire box,comprising:an enclosure having a periphery, an open top, a closed floor,and inner and outer side walls extending around the periphery of theenclosure; the floor comprising a support structure and at least onefloor layer of fire insulating material extending over said supportstructure; the inner side walls and floor layer together forming aninner cavity for containing a fire, the cavity being separated from theouter side walls and floor support structure and forming an insulatedenclosure for combustible material; and panels of insulating materiallocated between the inner and outer side walls; the insulating panelsbeing spaced from the outer side walls.
 23. A campfire box,comprising:an enclosure having a periphery, an open top, a closed floor,and inner and outer side walls extending around the periphery of theenclosure; the floor comprising a support structure and at least onefloor layer of fire insulating material extending over said supportstructure; the inner side walls and floor layer together forming aninner cavity for containing a fire, the cavity being separated from theouter side walls and floor support structure and forming an insulatedenclosure for combustible material; the enclosure having opposite firstand second ends, and wheels positioned adjacent the first end formovably supporting the box; and a pair of handles projecting from thesecond end of the enclosure.
 24. A campfire box, comprising:an enclosurehaving a periphery, an open top, a closed floor, and inner and outerside walls extending around the periphery of the enclosure; the floorcomprising a support structure and at least one floor layer of fireinsulating material extending over said support structure; the innerside walls and floor layer together forming an inner cavity forcontaining a fire, the cavity being separated from the outer side wallsand floor support structure and forming an insulated enclosure forcombustible material; and the floor of the enclosure comprising a pairof spaced, parallel, rigidly supported metal screens forming a supporthousing, and a layer of insulating material located in the housing. 25.The box as claimed in claim 24, wherein the insulating material ispumice.
 26. A campfire box, comprising:an enclosure having a periphery,an open top, a closed floor, and inner and outer side walls extendingaround the periphery of the enclosure; the floor comprising a supportstructure and at least one floor layer of fire insulating materialextending over said support structure; the inner side walls and floorlayer together forming an inner cavity for containing a fire, the cavitybeing separated from the outer side walls and floor support structureand forming an insulated enclosure for combustible material; and eachouter wall comprising a vertical panel having an upper end and a lowerend, an upper beam extending transversely across the upper end of thepanel on the outside of the enclosure, a lower beam extendingtransversely across the lower end of the panel on the outside of theenclosure, and fasteners securing the beams and panels together.
 27. Thebox as claimed in claim 26, wherein the lower beams of two opposingouter walls each have a plurality of spaced, inwardly directed socketsaligned with respective sockets on the opposing lower beam, and aplurality of spaced cross bars extend across the lower wall of theenclosure, each cross bar having opposite ends supported in a respectivepair of opposing sockets in the lower beams, the cross bars comprisingsaid floor support structure.
 28. A campfire box, comprising:a rigidouter frame forming outer walls, a lower support, and an open top, theouter walls having inside surfaces and outside surfaces; a floorsupported by said lower support; an inner wall of fire insulatingmaterial positioned inside the outer frame and having side portionscovering the inside surfaces of said outer walls and a lower portioncovering said floor, forming an insulated enclosure for enclosing firecombustible materials; wheels positioned adjacent at least one side ofthe frame for movably supporting said frame; the side portions of saidinner wall comprising insulating panels extending over and spacedinwardly from said outer walls with a space between each panel and therespective outer wall; and an inner layer of metal covering eachinsulating panel.
 29. A campfire box, comprising:a rigid outer frameforming outer walls, a lower support, and an open top, the outer wallshaving inside surfaces and outside surfaces; a floor supported by saidlower support; an inner wall of fire insulating material positionedinside the outer frame and having side portions covering the insidesurfaces of said outer walls and a lower portion covering said floor,forming an insulated enclosure for enclosing fire combustible materials;and wheels positioned adjacent at least one side of the frame formovably supporting said frame; and the lower portion of said inner wallcomprising at least one layer of bricks.
 30. A campfire box,comprising:a rigid outer frame forming outer walls, a lower support, andan open top, the outer walls having inside surfaces and outsidesurfaces; a floor supported by said lower support; an inner wall of fireinsulating material positioned inside the outer frame and having sideportions covering the inside surfaces of said outer walls and a lowerportion covering said floor, forming an insulated enclosure forenclosing fire combustible materials; wheels positioned adjacent atleast one side of the frame for movably supporting said frame; and thebox comprising a four-cornered box, each outer wall including an uppertimber and a lower timber spaced below the upper timber, and upper andlower corner connections connecting the upper timbers and lower timbers,respectively, together at corners of the box.
 31. The box as claimed inclaim 30, wherein the upper timbers of two sides of the box are extendedoutwardly from the box at one end opposite to said wheels, to formhandles for lifting said one end of said box and moving said box on saidwheels.
 32. The box as claimed in claim 30, wherein said inner wall isformed from at least one layer of insulating bricks.